Civil Defense / RT Wagon

3shooter

3shooter

Bigger Hammer
May 1, 2011
47
Tacoma Washington
First Name
Jim
Willys Model
  1. Wagon
Willys Year:
  1. 1963
Does anybody have some good info on the Civil Defense Wagons that were built from 56 to 59. I have recently purchased one and I am trying to find out as much info as I can. It is titled as a 59 according to the vin 5406807 it shows to be a 1 of 2 built in 1958 as a RT. From what I am seeing it shows to be a Rail Truck. I have pictures of the rig in Minnesota back in the 60's as a Civil Defense vehicle. I am looking for any material, racks, lights, stokes baskets carried on the roof, etc.
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I'm sorry I can't help but, what's up with the other old Jeeps in the background ?
 
I don't know anything about the civil defense wagons, but I have that same front bumper and winch on my '57 (regular) wagon, only mine is painted silver.
 
Wow Jim, what a find. Bill Norris on here is a great resource for all things Willys; you already talked to Paul.

In case anyone hasn't seen pictures of the Civil Defense model, here are a few from the interwebs:

york03.jpg


york04.jpg

Here's an old Civil Defense (CD) video thanks to eWillys.com.
year_wagon_civildefense_video.jpg
The CD Willys wagon is 2:45 in https://archive.org/details/Operatio1955
Rescue%201.jpg
 
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I like yours-looks like a great starting point.
I REALLY like the one with thee raised roof. it would make an awesome expedition vehicle!
You may want to check Library of Congress photographs as well as other gov agencies that might have had them.
 
Jim,
Wow! What a gem!

...shows to be a Rail Truck
Click to expand...

Do you mean that it appears there was a Hy-rail system installed on it at one time?

Man -- if that's the case -- I wonder what this trucks' perceived mission was when it left the Willys and Hy-rail factories/shops?

See about 11 minutes into the first video on this link for some Fairmont/Hy-rail information:

http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/showthread.php?7687-Paul-Barry-Willys-America-Presentation-at-the-Spring-2014-Midwest-Willy-s-Reunion


 
I would suspect RT to be "Rescue Truck" as opposed to rail. In the late 50's Jeep really pitched their vehicles to various agencies, and advertised a lot of equipment packages. Remember, at the timer these were light "utility" vehicles, and a lot of them got "utilized". As a result, not many of the commercial variants are left. Nice find.
 
Very cool info and truck. What a great find. I couldn't help but chuckle looking at the ad showing the "Willys Utility Ambulance". Knowing how they ride and looking at the guy on the stretcher above the window line, I'm pretty sure if he would probably get out of the truck in tougher shape then when he got into it.:D
 
scramboleer said:
Congrats, Jim. Hopefully we can get the new owner here on OWF.
Click to expand...
I ended up selling to a really nice guy in Salt lake City. I emailed him the other day to see how he was doing with the wagon. He has done some small things, but was busy building a new house. He has since finished the house and ready to get started on restoring the wagon.
 
Interesting side view mirrors in the factory brochures. I’ve been looking for pictures of factory or dealer upgrades to get an idea of what might have been used back then. These pictures are not at all what most of us are installing.
 
JABJEEP said:
Interesting side view mirrors in the factory brochures. I’ve been looking for pictures of factory or dealer upgrades to get an idea of what might have been used back then. These pictures are not at all what most of us are installing.
Click to expand...
My 62 wagon (ex Forest Service) has those exact mirrors. They work well and don't vibrate much. The trick is the "Z" angle reinforcement inside the doors that no one sees or uses on retrofits and the results aren't as good. I have seen some pictures of external hood latches on sales brochures so they might be a option or dealer installed option.
 
dirrty2 said:
My 62 wagon (ex Forest Service) has those exact mirrors. They work well and don't vibrate much. The trick is the "Z" angle reinforcement inside the doors that no one sees or uses on retrofits and the results aren't as good. I have seen some pictures of external hood latches on sales brochures so they might be a option or dealer installed option.
Click to expand...

Gary,

Any chance you can please measure up where the mirror is mounted on the driver's side and provide pictures of the inner "Z" bracket for possibly recreating it? I am adding one of these mirrors to my Wagon soon and want to make sure it is in the right spot (didn't come with anything from the factory).
 
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